Why Did Miley Cyrus Cry During Her iHeartRadio Concert?

Stop The Presses!

Billy Johnson, Jr.September 21, 2013

photo: Denise Truscello/Getty Images

There's a lot of truth to Miley Cyrus's single "We Can't Be Stopped." She's no quitter.

Despite a backlash for her controversial, risqué Video Music Awards performance, incorporating dwarves into her show, or even a breakup with "Hunger Games" actor Liam Hemsworth, Cyrus sticks to her guns.

Things were bittersweet Saturday afternoon at the iHeartRadio Music Festival when she performed her song "Wrecking Ball" for the first time.

Though she thanked the audience for making the song her first No. 1 record, the lyrics about coping with the demise of a relationship seemed to strike a chord, just days after she confirmed her split with Hemsworth.

Cyrus was teary eyed as she finished the song and her mascara was visibly smeared. Still, she appeared resilient.

While the likes of P!nk, Cher and Elton John have voiced their concerns about her wild stage antics, Cyrus wore another skimpy short set at the outdoors event. The white bikini bottoms and matching corset were just slightly less revealing than her VMA costume.

photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images

Criticisms of her use of dwarves during an appearance on the German TV show "Schlag Den Raab" didn't stop Cyrus from featuring little people in her iHeartRadio set. Two female dancers dressed in halter-tops and shorts twerked alongside her while others wore mushroom costumes.

"As you know there are always things that I'm doing that are getting me into trouble," she said. "Really, it's just me doing what my heart and my soul is telling me what to do. And it's all inspired by my music."

It's fair to consider this teaser show as a good warm up for what she has in store for Saturday night, the second day of the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Aside from Cyrus, there are plenty more good reasons to watch the live stream.

Paul McCartney, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Zedd, Tim McGraw, Maroon 5, Phoenix and Thirty Seconds to Mars will perform, and there will also be an interesting pairing.

Ke$ha will be joined by Joan Jett. Last year, the rapping, pop princess referenced Jett's "I Love Rock And Roll" on her single "C'mon."

Britney Spears will be introducing an artist. Might the pop queen who just released her song "Work B-tch" perform?

We will find out soon enough.

Watch the live stream tonight at iHeart.yahoo.com. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.